In terms of hardware, the Ruby is rumoured to possess a 1.5GHz dual-core chip with 1GB of RAM. Word on the street is that the phone will have a capacious 16GB of storage for photos, music and movies to be played back on the large 4.3-inch touchscreen.

The screen looks crystal clear, with a resolution of 540x960 pixels. Packing 256 pixels per inch it's approaching the iPhone 4's blisteringly detailed 640x960, 295.8ppi retina display. Of course, even if the Ruby's screen does rival the current iPhone, Apple is expected to up the ante with a new model any day now.

We're also expecting an 8-megapixel camera for snaps of friends, family and other wildlife. Scuttlebutt hints at 1080p high-definition video. There's a 2-megapixel camera on the front for video calling, too.

In the US, the Ruby's known as the HTC Amaze 4G, where different names often distinguish the same phone on different networks. The Ruby name suggests the phone will come to Europe -- an alternative to the US name usually signals a European launch.

The Ruby certainly sounds like a gem. Is the HTC Ruby a jewel in HTC's crown or will it be full of flaws? We'll let you know when the Ruby is officially confirmed, and in the meantime give us your pearls of wisdom in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.